NFL Weekly Wonder Vol. 3 - Week 6
By Peyton Schultze
Rookie running back Najee Harris is coming off a string of strong games as the Steelers enter a massive primetime matchup against the Seahawks on Sunday Night Football (via The Athletic).
It’s hard to believe that it’s already Week 6, but the first five weeks of pro football have provided plenty of classic moments that have kept fans on the edge of their seats. And with a great slate of exciting football found all around the world, the upcoming weekend ought to have plenty more of thrilling highlights after a week full of chaos in the league
But with that in mind, what does Week 6 have in store for fans? Will the Eagles find a way to shock the world with a win against the defending champs on Thursday night? Can the Chargers keep the momentum rolling against the feisty Ravens? Will the Raiders overcome the noise and find a way to leave Mile High with a win on Sunday? Can Geno Smith’s Seahawks keep their season alive with a road win against the Steelers? And who will win the exciting battle of former Oklahoma Heisman winners between Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray?
With those questions in focus after an exciting start to the year, we present our look at Week 6’s key matchups and important fantasy notes across the National Football League:
Game Picks
Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars head to London this week in search of the team’s first win of the season against the Miami Dolphins (via The Byte News).
Thursday: Tampa Bay (-7.0) @ Philadelphia, 5:20 pm PT, FOX
The Eagles are a hard team to figure out this season from week-to-week, but there is no doubt they are putting a fight almost every game. And although Tampa Bay won big last week against a struggling Miami team, major secondary concerns have caused some serious issues on defense for the Bucs. Brady and the Bucs will obviously score enough against this Eagles’ defense despite a strong pass rush, but expect Philly’s primarily passing attack to have success and keep this game very close deep into the fourth quarter.
Tampa Bay: 24 Philadelphia: 23
Sunday: Miami (-3.5) @ Jacksonville, 6:30 am PT, CBS (London)
London games are some of the hardest games to bet on over the course of the year, especially when you display two below average teams on the biggest stage across the pond. However, Jacksonville has put up a fight over the past two weeks despite the Urban Meyer controversy, and Miami enters the weekend with concerns of who will even suit up as their starting quarterback on Sunday. All of this points toward a lot of chaos and turmoil in the building for Miami, and one has to wonder if the line will move before kickoff on Sunday morning. Take the Jags in their first win of the year against a Dolphins team that is just about close to rock bottom as they have been on their season.
Jacksonville: 21 Miami: 17
Sunday: Green Bay (-4.5) @ Chicago, 10:00 am PT, FOX
The Bears played great on the road last week against the Raiders, but a tough matchup against a Packers’ team that is coming off a narrow win may be a bit of a tough break. And despite some improved play on both sides of the ball since Justin Fields was inserted into the starting lineup, Chicago still lacks a strong identity that could help them compete in a shootout against Aaron Rodgers and company. The Packers will be geared up for their longtime rival this week in what will likely get out of control early on.
Green Bay: 38 Chicago: 17
Sunday: Cincinnati (-3.5) @ Detroit, 10:00 am PT, FOX
Despite a close loss last week to the Packers, few teams in the league have been more impressive so far this year than the Cincinnati Bengals. With Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati passing attack showing real signs of improvement and with the offensive line showing up so far this year, the Bengals look like a real team in the AFC. Yet the Lions are playing very hard in close games so far in year one under head coach Dan Campbell, and one has to wonder if this is a bit of a trap game. Jared Goff and the Lions seem due for their first breakthrough, which is what will happen in a tight contest in the Motor City on Sunday.
Detroit: 24 Cincinnati: 20
Sunday: Houston @ Indianapolis (-9.5), 10:00 am PT, CBS
After weeks of brutal scheduling that provided little to no breathing room for Indianapolis, the Colts finally face a team that looks somewhat winnable on the schedule. And while the Houston Texans have been competitive in games with large spreads so far this season, the Colts are coming off a hard-fought game against the Ravens on Monday night and will be happy to return home to Lucas Oil Stadium. If Indy’s ground game can set the tempo early to take the pressure off of Carson Wentz, this game could get ugly very early in this AFC South divisional matchup.
Indianapolis: 31 Houston: 13
Sunday: Los Angeles R. (-10.5) @ New York G., 10:00 am PT, FOX
A spread that seems to largely depend on the status of quarterback Daniel Jones, the Rams head to New York City for a Sunday duel with the New York Football Giants. Usually West Coast teams traveling across the country are a bit of a concern when it comes to covering spreads, but the Rams have been one of the best teams at covering spreads against lesser opponents under head coach Sean McVay. If Jones does play, this game could be closer and the Giants could put up a fight. But things could also turn disastrous if Mike Glennon is the starter on Sunday for the Giants, which seems to be the current trend in what could be an easy Rams’ win.
Los Angeles R: 33 New York G.: 13
Sunday: Kansas City (-7.0) @ Washington, 10:00 am PT, CBS
Are the Kansas City Chiefs really in trouble? It seems that way after an embarrassing display on Sunday Night Football last week against the Bills, but they at least appear to have a smooth landing after some chaos in the air with a meetup in Washington D.C. on Sunday. The Washington Football Team has been a major disappointment this season after entering with such high expectations, but their defense has been even more disturbing. Both of these teams are struggling to stop anyone right now, and while Taylor Heinicke has potential to keep this game close, Patrick Mahomes always gets the advantage in an offensive display. Expect some angry football from Kansas City on Sunday.
Kansas City: 37 Washington: 28
In relief of the injured Russell Wilson, the Seahawks will turn toward veteran quarterback Geno Smith to keep their season afloat in the NFC West (via 710 ESPN Seattle).
Sunday: Minnesota (-1.0) @ Carolina, 10:00 am PT, FOX
Two teams that are tough to bet on every week play in a close matchup in Week 6, as the Vikings head on the road to face off with the Panthers. It’s a tough game to predict, but the key here is the return of full-time play for running backs Christian McCaffrey and Dalvin Cook. Both game-changing talents have the ability to change the outlook of an entire game, but Minnesota’s defense may slightly more vulnerable than Carolina’s at this point in this season. This gives a slight edge to the Panthers in what should be a very close and entertaining game on Sunday between two potential NFC playoff hopefuls.
Carolina: 23 Minnesota: 20
Sunday: Los Angeles C. @ Baltimore (-3.0), 10:00 am PT, CBS
🔒 *Pick of the Week*
The Chargers are everyone’s darling right now after some huge wins against AFC contenders like Kansas City and Cleveland, but Baltimore has been just as good since their Week 1 loss on the road to the Raiders. But for as good as the Chargers are on offense with Justin Hebert, their defense is vulnerable against the run and has allowed a lot of yards on the ground this season. That’s very bad news for a Baltimore team that runs the ball better than anybody at home and has a former MVP at quarterback who looks as good as ever, as the Ravens will win this one easily in a battle of AFC contenders.
Baltimore: 38 Los Angeles C.: 27
Sunday: Arizona @ Cleveland (-2.5), 1:05 pm PT, FOX
⭐ *Game of the Week*
How is an undefeated Arizona team with an electric offense an underdog this weekend against Cleveland? The Cardinals and Browns meet up on Sunday in Week 6’s game of the week, which could truly test just how good this Arizona team is. But as excellent as Cleveland has been on offense, the Arizona defense is just as capable of at least limiting their offensive attack and forcing quarterback Baker Mayfield into some dire passing situations. The same can’t be said for Kyler Murray on the other side of the ball in this battle of Oklahoma Heisman winners, who is playing like an MVP candidate right now and has this team rolling. It should be a great game on Sunday, but it is hard to see a situation where the Cardinals don’t come out on top against the Browns.
Arizona: 28 Cleveland: 27
Sunday: Dallas (-4.0) @ New England, 1:25 pm PT, CBS
The Cowboys have truly played great football all season long, but as it always is with the Patriots, this has the makings of a scary game. Although the Patriots are still shaping into form on offense with Mac Jones at quarterback, their defense will surely have something in store this weekend for Dak Prescott and the Dallas offense. At the end of the day, with that extra point in the spread to push it past a field goal, are the Cowboys four points better than the Patriots on the road inside a raucous Gillette Stadium? Bet the number on this game, but look for Dallas to find a way to sneak out of New England with a close win on Sunday afternoon.
Dallas: 23 New England: 20
Sunday: Las Vegas @ Denver (-3.5), 1:25 pm PT, CBS
Does any team in the league face more pressure than the Las Vegas Raiders this weekend? The Raiders just went through a week of hell and lost their head coach for the entire season in the process in a truly stunning sequence of events, and now head to a road team’s house of horrors in the Mile High City. Yeah, this game might get ugly. Denver has not played great over the past two weeks by any means, but Teddy Bridgewater and company should be able to tear up this defense in what will be a rollicking atmosphere in Denver on Sunday afternoon.
Denver: 30 Las Vegas: 17
Sunday: Seattle @ Pittsburgh (-4.5), 5:20 pm PT, NBC
⚡ *Upset of the Week*
Russell Wilson’s finger injury suddenly appeared to throw a wrench in the Seahawks' plans for the 2021 season, especially as they prepare to face a Steelers’ team that just controlled a 3-1 Broncos’ squad last week at home. And while Big Ben and the Steelers looked as good as they have all season long last week, concerns remain about how sustainable their offensive attack is. That’s where Pete Carroll’s team will have to show some true grit on Sunday night with Geno Smith at quarterback on the road, especially on defense with how much talent they actually have. The 4.5 point spread means Vegas is daring people to bet on Seattle despite their worries about the Steelers; we’ll bite and take Seattle outright on Sunday Night Football.
Seattle: 20 Pittsburgh: 17
Monday: Buffalo (-5.5) @ Tennessee, 5:15 pm PT, ESPN
🚨 *Stay-Away Game*
Buffalo looks like the class of the NFL right now as they enter a primetime Monday Night Football matchup, but the Titans are scary in these types of moments. Yes, Tennessee is a team that had to grind out a win against the Jags and failed to even beat the measly Jets, but Mike Vrabel’s squad has been known to shock opponents in big spots, especially when all eyes are on the other team. We don’t have the guts to bet against Josh Allen and company right now with how well they’re playing, but do not be surprised if the Titans at least hit a backdoor cover to cause some real mayhem at Vegas sportsbooks.
Buffalo: 31 Tennessee: 27
Fantasy Picks of the Week
Darrell Henderson Jr. has been a dynamic running back option so far this season, and could see plenty of carries on Sunday against the Giants (via USA Today).
Quarterback: Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Jalen Hurts may not be a winning quarterback yet, but he’s definitely an elite fantasy option already. Hurts adds significant value on the ground as well as nice work as a passer, and a matchup with the league’s worst secondary in Tampa Bay right now is a very intriguing option for a fantasy outburst. The Buccaneers are thin right now in the back end, and while the Eagles’ wide receiving talent is not elite and Hurts often relies on his tight ends, Philadelphia should be able to move the ball plenty on offense. Expect a huge game from Hurts, even if the Eagles are unable to find a way to sneak past Tampa with a home win.
Alternates: Taylor Heinicke (WAS) vs Kansas City, Trevor Lawrence (JAX) vs Miami
Running Back: Darrell Henderson Jr., Los Angeles Rams vs New York Giants
Henderson Jr. may be one of the most underrated running backs in the league so far this season with such explosiveness coming from the Rams’ passing attack, but he has been a phenomenal option so far this year. With the bulk of the Rams’ carries coming in his direction as well as occasional volume in the passing game, Henderson Jr. has been a key part of this Rams’ offense so far and appears to be a mainstay moving forward. With that said, with the Giants struggling on defense right now, Henderson Jr. may be getting the ball a ton on Sunday early and often. Even if the Rams go up big, the Rams’ solid back could see the most carries of the season and find pay dirt once or twice this Sunday.
Alternates: Antonio Gibson (WAS) vs Kansas City, Leonard Fournette (TB) vs Philadelphia
Wide Receiver: Marquise Brown, Baltimore Ravens vs Los Angeles Chargers
It may be time to start giving “Hollywood” some more attention. The Ravens’ top receiving option has put together an exceptional season so far this year, and while the Chargers have some decent corners on the outside, Brown’s pure speed has left him wide open and with space to run many times this season against some good secondaries. The Bolts will likely focus on shutting down the Ravens’ dynamic running game, leaving Brown in single coverage and in ideal passing situations for the Ravens. That could be a big factor on Sunday between two elite AFC teams, in which Brown could easily catch another touchdown and gain over 100 yards through the air.
Alternates: DK Metcalf (SEA) vs Pittsburgh, Marvin Jones Jr. (JAX) vs Miami